Who Would Want To See Me Romance In A Film - Juhi Chawla

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Darr, Ishq, Yes Boss... If you start to count her films, this list would be endless. But what is longer than that is the list of this beautiful and vivacious actress' fans!

Whether it be Aamir Khan or Shahrukh Khan, the audience have enjoyed her pair with all actors she has acted with so far. She has made a special place in the hearts of movie goers with her innocent smile. But Juhi's fans are in for a surprise as she will be seen essaying the role of a ruthless politician in her film Gulaab Gang. The film is all set to release this week.

In an interview with Oneindia reporter Sonika Mishra, Juhi Chawla talks about her bonding and relationship with her competitor Madhuri Dixit, about the negative role in the film and about all the struggles that she had to undergo in her career.

Here are the excerpts from the interview with Juhi Chawla...

How was your reaction when you were first offered to play a negative character in Gulaab Gang? How confident were you in playing the character - Then and Now?

I thought Soumik Sen had gone mad when he approached me with this negative role in Gulaab Gang. I asked him to rewrite my role keeping my character in mind. When he did that, I thought it was too dull and boring. So, I decided to go ahead with the original script. Now, when I hear people appreciate my work, I feel happy that I did this.

How did you prepare yourself for a negative role like this, and was this character inspired by real life politicians in any manner?

Yes, I did a bit of research to find out how women politicians in India dress up and carry themselves in a crowd. I took inspiration from real life women politicians such as Sushma Swaraj, Mamta Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi.

What is your opinion about politics and do you think politics in reality is negative as well?

I know very little about politics, and whatever I read in newspapers about politics is all negative. I'm personally of the opinion that you don't have to be a politician to want to work for the well being of the people.

I heard that you were surprised to see yourself in a negative character on-screen. Why is that?

I was not very comfortable playing a negative role in Gulaab Gang. During the course of the shooting, I kept thinking whether I was doing the right thing. However, when Soumik Sen showed me the final film and told me that he was glad that I agreed to do this film, I thought my role had shaped up very well and felt like this was magic!

Click on the slider to continue reading interview with Juhi Chawla...

Juhi Speaks About Madhuri

Do you feel that the film Gulaab Gang is being talked about more because of your competition with Madhuri Dixit long back? Don't you feel that Madhuri Dixit has a more important role in the film?

I think there is more curiosity about the film because of Madhuri and my pairing. If it was another actress who was paired with Madhuri, the film would not have got that much publicity. Madhuri Dixit is the 'hero' of the film. She is like how Amitabh Bachchan used to be in his films. However, the real 'masala' comes when my character makes the entry. I add the much needed flavour of 'spice and masala' in the film.

Juhi Speaks About Her Negative Role

You have always been popular because of your vivacious and peppy nature. How difficult was it for you to fit in a total negative avatar?

It took me one-two days to fit myself in this role. Soumik Sen helped me a lot in understanding the character and told me that it is easy to shout and express yourself when angry. But if you control your anger and vent it out in a more stern and calm manner, the effect will be immense. This advice helped me a lot in playing my character. I then began enjoying my role.

Juhi On Supporting Roles

You have done many supporting roles before Gulaab Gang. Have you been offered more lead roles like this one?

(Laughs) Nobody would like to see me romance in a film anymore. How will it seem if Madhuri and I act in a love triangle story... dance, run around with heroes? It sounds very strange, doesn't it? That's why I was doing supporting roles till now. There are very few films like Gulaab Gang. Even in this film, I only add a bit of spice, otherwise the entire film belongs to Madhuri Dixit!

Juhi-Madhuri

Is there any difference interacting with Madhuri - Then and Now?

I shared only a 'hi-hello' sort of relationship with Madhuri Dixit before Gulaab Gang happened. We met only during events and so-on earlier.

Juhi On Offbeat Cinema

In your times, you never preferred to do offbeat cinema, but now every other is venturing out to do different and offbeat films. What do you think about that?

Those were commercial and happy films. I was offered quite a few offbeat films, but turned it out since I was glad doing my romance and dance. When I was doing My Brother Nikhil, there was very little make-up on me and I was asked 'NOT' to act! I was asked to deliver my dialogues without 'over acting'. I was surprised at that time. But this is the era of offbeat cinema. The industry has changed a lot!

Juhi Likes Madhuri's HAHK

Is there any film of Madhuri Dixit that you would have liked to be a part of?

I loved Madhuri Dixit's Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. I kept thinking why I was never offered such films. Madhuri did a wonderful job in that film and the movie was so beautifully made that I still want to be a part of the film!